Teen Mentoring & Leadership Programs

A mentoring program for youth from ages 14-19, attending Independence, Walnut Ridge, Whitehall Yearling High Schools and teens at the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center. They also offer homework help, life skills training, and workforce development programs.
4117 East Livingston Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43227
(614) 745-0007all-that.org

Offers one-to-one community-based and school-based mentoring programs, as well as week-long, overnight camps during the summer for youth. In Franklin County, they offer a Hispanic Mentoring Program for Spanish-speaking youth and families. Visit the website or call to find out how to enroll a child.

A one-to-one mentoring program that matches children of incarcerated parents with volunteers from the community. Visit the website or call to find out how to enroll a child.
1855 East Dublin-Granville Road, Columbus, Ohio 43229
(614) 839-2447 or (866) 892-2447 Toll-freebbbscentralohio.org/programs

A neighborhood-based community center that serves the near east and near south neighborhoods of Columbus, Ohio. Services include:

Early Education Child Care Center: Education-focused child care program for infants, toddlers and preschoolers with a focus on preparation for success in Kindergarten and beyond.

Community Services: Basic/emergency needs assistance and referrals, community organizing and advocacy, family/household support programs, a community computer lab, community dinners/block parties, and opportunities for neighborhood involvement.

Youth and Family Services: Personal development and family strengthening programs, afterschool programs, summer youth enrichment programs, including summer employment; and other youth, teen, and family activities, including tutoring, mentoring, and fun activities including Transit Arts.

A six-day leadership development experience for rising high school juniors and seniors in central Ohio. The free program is offered annually during the summer. All eligible students are encouraged to apply.
2080 Citygate Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43219
(614) 542-4102coleadershipacademy.org

Mentoring program between college single parent students and Columbus area high school teen girls and young women who are parenting or pregnant. They offer one-on-one mentoring and online group mentoring. They accept applications into the fall for the school year. This program is provided through The Ohio State University ACCESS Collaborative Program.
Mailing Address: 154 West Twelfth Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210
Physical Address: 84 North Seventeenth Street, Columbus, Ohio 43203
(614) 247-7092odi.osu.edu/champs

Offers a year-long program for City of Columbus middle-school youth ages 10-15. Participants have the opportunity to gain real life skills by working on projects and attending events that will guide them towards becoming positive leaders in their communities. Participants will need to be recommended by their principal, assistant principal or teacher in order to be considered.
1111 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 645-3330columbus.gov/recreationandparks/programs/City-Leaders-Program

A community‐based, non‐profit, advocacy organization that works to empower African Americans and marginalized groups through economic, educational and social progress with programs, classes and services. Visit the website to learn more about the different programs that fall under these six categories:

CND is a non-profit agency that provides services for adults and youth in three areas: prevention, intervention, and treatment. Their youth services include a Summer Day Camp, after-school program, and in-school program. They teach leadership development, anti-bullying and violence prevention, job readiness, college preparedness, and focus on ATOD-V (alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, as well as violence) education. They also take high-school aged youth on an annual college tour and offer a FOCUS (Future Opportunities Created for Urban Students) program.

Program: Offers youth and their families mental, emotional and behavioral health programs and services. Licensed social workers and counselors provide counseling and clinical treatment programs addressing a range of issues including school concerns, sexual abuse, delinquency, domestic violence, family conflict, substance abuse and mental health issues. They also offer parenting classes, free kindergarten readiness programs and after-school and summer programs at their two youth centers.Eligibility: male and female, ages vary per programCost: government insurance (Medicaid, Molina, Caresource), private insurance and self-pay (sliding scale fees based on income); most programs are free
Referral: individuals may refer themselves or be referred by someone else for the counseling programs, for psychiatric services they need to be referred through a Directions for Youth counselor

Connects students with caring, trained adults to create hope for the future. They provide mentoring and personal development programs for teens. They also strengthen families in the community by providing a support network of resources and meaningful experiences. Most of their programs and services are free, though some events have an admission fee. Their programs take place in schools, libraries and other venues for Franklin County youth and families.
(614) 376-8337dlighthousefamilycenter.org

Offers career development service to teenagers preparing for success in the workforce, adults looking to further their careers and middle school students developing leadership skills that will propel them to successful careers. They also offer life coaching to help graduates along their career paths. Visit the website for contact information.
PO Box 245, Brice, Ohio 43109expandingvisions.net

A leadership program for high school students ages 14-18 to provide leadership and improve services for youth in Franklin County. FCYC members will be empowered to be ambassadors to represent the concerns and be the voice of youth in Franklin County, meet with key officials to advocate for community change and represent FCYC at conferences and special events.
360 South Third Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 679-3239 or (614) 227-2745liveunitedcentralohio.org/franklin-county-youth-council

High school student-athletes participate in a one-year “coaching” program to develop skills in perseverance, professionalism, positivity and more. The program consists of a college scholarship, the assignment of a Handshake Coach, and several meetings throughout the calendar year to help prepare student-athletes for their future. The students submit applications in the middle of their junior year.
(614) 841-0199handshakeamerica.org

Offer fun, healthy safe experiences during the school year and throughout the summer, building academic, career, artistic, and physical strengths for boys of color ages 9-15 years old whose families earn 200% of poverty or less.
788 Mount Vernon Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43203
(614) 257-6300cul.org/initiatives/i-am-my-brothers-keeper-iambk

Offers a range of services for students in Columbus City Schools to prepare them to enter and succeed in college, including providing help with financial aid and scholarships.
1108 City Park Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43206
(614) 233-9510iknowican.org

A mentoring program created to provide young men of all nationalities with practical lessons and positive examples of how to navigate life. Through personal interactions with program mentors and real-world examples, they teach young men from grades 6th-12th not only how to go through life, but how to live meaningful lives fueled by purpose and propelled by passion.
PO Box 16805, Columbus, Ohio 43216
(614) 859-0423icementors.org

LASER mentors serve as academic role models, as well as bridge builders, between Latinos in high school and Ohio State, Otterbein and Ohio Wesleyan University students. Mentees will meet 1-2 hours per week with their mentors. Meeting locations varies. Visit the website for contact information.odi.osu.edu/laser-mentoring-program

Works with high school students from under-served communities to educate them about and prepare them for careers in the legal profession. They provide year-round, four-year academic and professional programming to participants. The program is free to all participants, and students are provided bus passes and lunch.
1700 Lake Shore Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43204
(614) 485-3514lawandleadership.org

A national, non-profit organization that helps develop academic and leadership skills in public high school students who come from low-income households or will be first-generation college students. LEDA Scholars are recruited as juniors in high school and spend the following summer at the Aspects of Leadership Summer Institute. The 7-week summer program is free and includes leadership study, writing instruction, standardized test preparation and college guidance.
315 West Thirty-ninth Street, New York, New York 10018
(646) 787-0628ledascholars.org

High school juniors and seniors living in Ohio will serve a one-year term and meet twice in Columbus during their time on the Board. Members will advise their office on issues relating to teens and work with their peers to develop solutions to those issues. Students will be placed into small groups, advised by an Assistant Attorney General. Applications generally open in the late Spring months. Visit the website for contact information.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/State-and-Local-Government/Schools/Teen-Ambassador-Board

Works with families and children, farmers and business owners, community leaders and elected officials to build better lives, better businesses and better communities in Ohio. Many programs fall into four categories, including;

4-H Development: clubs, school enrichment, after-school and STEM programming for a minimal fee

A free youth development program dedicated to serving economically disadvantaged children in the Columbus community. Their programs include a sports summer camp for youth ages 9 to 15, a youth leadership academy preparing youth ages 15-18 for college and future careers and community-based sports clinics throughout the year. Transportation is free to all campers via buses.
2400 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, Ohio, 43210
(614) 688-3875osulifesports.org

This free 5-day leadership training program is for 11th and 12th grade high school students with disabilities. Participants will learn about choosing a career, the history of disability as a culture, available resources and assistive technology. They will be empowered to reach goals in education, employment and their community.
150 East Campus View Boulevard, Columbus, Ohio 43235
(614) 438-1394 or (800) 282-4536, ext. 1394 or (614) 362-5606 VPohioylf.comood.ohio.gov/Transition-br-Students/Youth-Leadership-Forum

A nonprofit organization that supports high-achieving, low-income students to achieve success in college through their programs that offer an academic mentoring program for juniors and full four-year scholarships to colleges.
445 Sherman Ave, Palo Alto, California 94306
(888) 275-2054 Toll-freequestbridge.org

Helps African American girls ages 11-18 who have been exposed to trauma or stress in their lives. They help girls think critically, learn how to communicate through barriers and reach academic success. The services are offered through conferences, girl summits, think tanks, community forums and resiliency-based activities.
P.O. Box 09110, Columbus, Ohio 43209
(614) 231-3543risesisterrise.net

Offers school and community programming for girls on team building, healthy communication, dealing with girl drama/bullying, healthy relationships, navigating social media, body image, support systems, safety and violence prevention, stress and coping, academic and career development and leadership. Call or visit the website to find a ROX program.
1335 Dublin Road, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 488-8080rulingourexperiences.com

Offers various services for Central Ohio families throughout the year. Their services include: an in-residence rehabilitation program, after school learning centers for youth to get tutoring and homework help, job help, Christmas assistance; free meals and produce giveaways, furniture assistance, housing and rent assistance, utility assistance and veteran support services. Visit the website for their Family Thrift Store locations in Central Ohio and for more information on each program.

Offers free service learning programs to schools with students ages 8 to 14 years old and through family programs for youth ages 5 to 14 years old. Their programs provide positive outcomes for students in areas of critical thinking, research and observation skills, civic engagement, leadership and teamwork.
16 Orchard Lane, Columbus, Ohio 43214
(614) 429-3244seekidsdream.org

Inspires kids in the community to engage in service, social action, and community-building in their everyday lives through monthly service projects, small focus groups and other activities.seedsofcaring.org

Provides group mentoring, leadership programming and prison transportation for youth ages 5-17 whose parent is incarcerated. The group mentoring engages them in fun activities and provides them with a safe environment to discuss various topics. And their Generational Leadership program provides youth with tools to help develop their communication skill sets to help foster healthy relationships. All services are free, except the prison transportation. The minimal fee varies depending on the prison location.
464 East Main Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 385-0771unlockingfamilyfutures.org

Through this program, middle and high school age students can participate in after school and summer youth internships to gain skills growing vegetables in sustainable aeroponic towers. In the free youth development program, they gain leadership and entrepreneurial skills while preparing weekly cooking demonstrations and having fun.
The Ohio State University, Campbell Hall 135
1787 Neil Ave, Columbus, Ohio 43210
(614) 247-4004urbangems.ehe.osu.edu

Provides programs focused on 3 areas: Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility. Their programs, services and initiatives are for men, women and children of all ages covering health and fitness, swimming, age-specific activities, child care, camps, programming for children with special needs and more. Visit the website or contact a YMCA center for more information.
YMCA Administrative Office: 40 West Long Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 389-4409ymcacolumbus.orgYMCA Locations & Contacts: ymcacolumbus.org/locations

Provide affordable housing and supportive services for women recovering from drug-related, alcohol-related, and mental illnesses. The YWCA Family Center provides emergency shelter and critical services including, family assistance, family advocacy, childcare, employment and resource center to help central Ohio families find housing. The YWCA Kids Place offers affordable childcare during the school year and summer programs for families in Gahanna and Westerville school districts. They also provide leadership training for high school girls and adult women.

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